Man Who Whistled Up a Corporate Storm

Former Olympus Boss Lost His Job And Feared for His Safety After Exposing 'Mickey Mouse' Deals

By

Javier Espinoza

Nov. 25, 2012 6:04 p.m. ET

Michael Woodford always thought he was a good judge of people. But that view changed radically after he was ousted from his position as chief executive and president of Olympus Corp., the Tokyo-based camera and medical-imaging equipment maker for whom he had worked for more than two decades.

"What disturbed me the most when I was fired is how some colleagues would have no contact with me," says the CEO-turned-whistleblower from his apartment overlooking London's Tower Bridge. "Some of them had been to my...